If you're wondering if the cost of this procedure is worth it, let me tell you it is worth that and more! With Juvederm Ultra Plus, I saw IMMEDIATE results. I look 10 years younger. My husband is astounded by the difference and I can't stop looking in the mirror. My trusted dermatologist Dr. Eric Baud is to be credited for his expertise in smoothing out the filler to make me look my absolute best. Added bonus, I had no pain, no swelling, no bruising. Will be back in 6 months for sure!!!
Hi everyone. I just had the first of 3 treatments today (each treatment will cost $500) and wanted to share my experience. I had come here to research the procedure a few weeks ago, and decided, despite the many negative experiences posted here, that I would give Fraxel Re:pair a chance. So I went into the office today and the doctor's assistant gave me make-up removal wipes to remove my make-up. She then proceed to rub numbing cream on my face and let it sink in for about 30 minutes. When I was good and numb, they covered my eyes with protective, oval stickers so I couldn't open them during the procedure. I was outfitted with a shower-cap like head covering to keep my hair out of the laser's way. Then, I was given two squeezy balls (stress busters) in each hand. That's when I knew this might not be as painless as I had hoped. I took a deep breath and the doctor was so helpful the entire time. First he told me that he himself had had the procedure done. This made me feel a bit less anxious. He explained exactly what he was doing and kept reassuring me I was doing great, asking if I was OK every few seconds. I gave a 'thumbs up'. The sensation of the laser as it glided over my forehead can best be described as someone taking a warm tattooing needle and scraping it around on your face.....hardly pleasant, but not exactly painful. A blast of cool air accompanied the laser as it went back and forth, so much of the 'burning' sensation was kept to a minimum. I kept taking deep breaths anticipating that pain might come at any moment, but it never really did. It was more of an annoyance than anything else. The doctor kept telling me I was doing great as he could tell I was tensing up each time the laser started back up. But his explaining what he was going to do as he moved from the forehead, to the temples to the cheeks and finally, the chin and lip area kept me calm. I just kept taking deep breaths and the entire ordeal was over within 5 minutes. Afterwards, the doctor's assistant helped me wash my face to get off the numbing cream. She then applied a thin, cooling gel to my face along with a thick layer of sunscreen. The doctor prescribed a course of treatment (meds for the swelling, gentle washing with a Neutrogena product, applying the creams they gave me and care instructions for the next 7 days) and told me his answering service would contact him should I need to call him if I had any questions or concerns after the procedure. I looked in the mirror and was surprised that I wasn't as red and swollen as I expected to be. I donned large sunglasses, put on a headscarf and had my husband pull the car around to the main entrance so I would not be exposed to direct sunlight. No sooner did I get home and the sunburned sensation was nearly completely gone. I had no pain and had a light dinner with my husband. As the evening wore on, the little swelling I had was completely gone. I washed my face before bed with the special cleanser and applied the gel I was given. My husband commented that he could already see an improvement in my skin. It has been nearly 5 hours after my first treatment and so far, I have been pleasantly surprised. I have no numbness, pain or swelling. My skin feels just a bit dry around the hairline and upper lip, but aside from that, it appears brighter. I have hope that I might see other improvements in the coming days. My next treatment is scheduled in another 4 weeks. I intend to keep updating this thread until my treatment is complete. I have no photos to post yet, but I'm sure I will get before/after photos when my procedure is complete Updated on 6 Sep 2014: My face looked as though I had gotten a bit of sun the previous day. Nothing red....looked like I was wearing bronzer. I did have slight puffiness under my eyes, but that disappeared about 2 hrs. later. What I was truly surprised by is how I looked better post-procedure without make up, first thing in the morning than I did the previous day with make up on. My husband commented that my skin was 'glowing'. I can't tell if the sun damage has been reduced, but I believe once my 'tan' fades, I will begin to see more. No pain at all today. Skin feels a little dry around the eyes, but I keep my skin hydrated with the lotions they've given me. Updated on 7 Sep 2014: Skin is very dry today and I most definitely look like I've been in a tanning salon. I've been using the sunscreen they gave me and drinking lots of water to try and rehydrate but so far, its still very dry. Otherwise, no other swelling, pain or discomfort. Updated on 8 Sep 2014: I'm starting to develop small white heads around base of forehead near the hairline and a stray one here or there on my cheeks. Am trying REALLY hard not to bother them as I don't want this to mess up the results. My skin is very dry now and I have a distinct redness all over, but I'm hoping as the red begins to go away that things will begin to normalize. I intend to call the doctor to ask if I can moisturize with something because the dryness is causing itching too. Updated on 9 Sep 2014: Feeling much better today since my skin is not as dry and the little whiteheads that had cropped up over the last 24 hrs. have mostly gone away. (Believe me, I was DYING to pop them...but didn't!). Didn't need to call the doctor after all. I think maybe its been all that water I've been drinking....or the mad way I've been exercising this week to make up for the fact that I didn't go to the gym over the weekend. Either way, maybe this is the natural way my skin is responding after the treatment. I have not experienced any sloughing off or peeling thus far, but the redness of yesterday has been reduced greatly and I look good, despite still not being able to wear make up. This does save a lot of time on my a.m. routine though. Added bonus! Updated on 3 Oct 2014: I had my second procedure today. A bit more unpleasant than last time. Felt a bit of stinging as I left the doctor's office but it subsided about three hours later as did the initial swelling. I'm slathered in lotion right now but I did immediately notice more fading of my sun damage. Can't wait to see the results in a day or two. Updated on 4 Oct 2014: Definitely am more swollen this time around than the first treatment primarily under the eye area. My skin looks "sunburned" today but it does not burn or sting. Also feels a little dry, but I'm moisturizing like a fiend. Other than that, I anticipate once the swelling goes down and the redness fades, I will be able to see more of the newer (non-sun damaged) skin underneath. Updated on 5 Oct 2014: The healing process is happening much more quickly after this last treatment. It took 3-4 days for redness and sloughing off of the dead skin to begin. This time around, it's happened less than 48 hrs. post procedure. I am still swollen under the eye area and my skin is getting progressively drier with each passing hour so I'm trying to keep moisturized as best I can and drink lots of water. I can see the sloughing off of the dead skin cells already and I'm feeling a tinge of burning/itching sensation primarily around the lower jaw/chin area. I'm tying like hell not to scratch. I've also got some small white heads that have cropped up around this same area and its taking all the self control I've got not to pop them. All around, I have no pain or discomfort. Just dryness, minor swelling and some itchiness. Updated on 6 Oct 2014: Swelling is completely gone but I have redness and flaking plus slight acne on my lower jaw/chin area. Am trying not to pick. Other than that, no discomfort but I do feel unattractive right now.... Updated on 21 Nov 2014: Originally, I had my last procedure scheduled for Friday, Oct. 31st, but in the spirit of Halloween, I decided to postpone the last Fraxel I'd have until today. Out of all three procedures, this one was the most painful/uncomfortable, perhaps the outer layers of skin have been stripped away in previous procedures, making me extra sensitive. Much like the first time, today I had no swelling and zero pain afterward. In fact, I had much more swelling during the 2nd procedure. Today's procedure, although the most painful, was by far the easiest in the aftermath. Looking forward to posting before/after photos in about 6 weeks when I go to my final appt. for the pics
